The Guardian learnt that the fire started at about 4:00 a.m. on Tuesday from the Sunniaba area of the market and engulfed several shops.
Some female traders were also seen running around while their sources of livelihood went up in flames. According to the head of department, media and publicity of the state fire service, Hassan Adekunle, the fire was sparked by a cigarette butt carelessly dropped, which ignited combustible materials. “Arriving at the scene, they were met with a harrowing sight – numerous shops ablaze, with federal firefighting counterparts already engaged in combating the fire.”
Operatives of the Joint Task Force in the Niger Delta, have arrested 10 suspected kidnappers who abducted a corps member, Navy officer and nine students.